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Various Artists

Reggae Attack

AllMusic Review
by Stephen Cook

Focusing on the many rocksteady and reggae sides to find favor in England, this fine Attack compilation brings together a mix of Jamaican standards from Jimmy Cliff ("Many Rivers to Cross") and Desmond Dekker ("Israelites"), as well as skinhead hits by the Harry J All-Stars ("The Liquidator") and the Upsetters ("Dollar in the Teeth"); in between, there's Marley, the Maytals, Brit skinhead reggae outfit Symarip, Tony Tribe's "Red, Red Wine," and the Ethiopians' "Train to Skaville." So, hark back to those London club nights of the early '70s, when the likes of Ken Boothe's "Crying Over You" and Dave and Ansel Collins' DJ and organ smash "Double Barrel" boomed from the speakers.